Mind over matter: how Sanam Naran is shaping psychology and uplifting communities

Sanam Naran is a distinguished psychologist and the founder of Conscious Psychology, a practice dedicated to fostering mental health awareness and providing culturally nuanced therapeutic support.

With an impressive academic background, Naran earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), followed by a Bachelor of Honours in Psychology from the University of South Africa (Unisa).

She further honed her expertise with a qualification in Psychometrics from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and completed her Master’s in Counselling Psychology at Wits, graduating with distinction.

Naran's areas of speciality encompass a wide range of psychological challenges, including intergenerational trauma, relationship difficulties, anxiety and depression, cultural and diversity issues, personal growth, self-esteem and identity, workplace stress and burnout, as well as adjustment to life changes.

Her commitment to understanding the complexities of human behaviour and emotional patterns drives her work, particularly within brown and marginalised communities, where she aims to create safe spaces for healing and growth.

Through her practice, Naran not only addresses individual mental health needs but also champions community-based initiatives that promote accessible psychoeducation and destigmatise mental health conversations.

"Independent Media Lifestyle" spoke to Naran to get to know the psychologist. 

How long have you been practising as a psychologist, and what inspired you to pursue this profession?

I’ve been practising for several years now, and my journey into psychology was shaped by a deep curiosity about people, relationships and emotional patterns - especially those that are inherited, unspoken or normalised within families and communities.

Psychology gave language to things I intuitively felt growing up, and it offered a way to transform that awareness into meaningful, ethical work that supports others.

Which aspects of your work or key projects/initiatives are you most proud of, and why?

I’m most proud of building Conscious Psychology as a practice that holds both clinical depth and cultural nuance.

Creating a space that allows people - particularly within brown and marginalised communities - to feel seen without being pathologised has been deeply meaningful.

Sanctuary in the City is another project close to my heart: it’s about interdisciplinary care, collaboration, and restoring humanity to healing spaces.

In your line of work, what has been the biggest professional or therapeutic risk you’ve taken, and how did it impact you or your clients?

The biggest risk has been choosing integrity over performance - slowing therapy down, naming relational dynamics honestly, and refusing quick-fix or overly sanitised approaches.

It’s riskier because it asks clients to stay with discomfort, but it’s also where real transformation happens.

Professionally, it’s taught me to trust depth over popularity.

What motivates you to show up every day and hold space for people navigating emotional or mental challenges?

What motivates me is witnessing moments of internal alignment - when someone stops gaslighting themselves, names their truth, or chooses themselves with clarity rather than guilt.

Holding space is less about fixing and more about bearing witness to courage, and that never stops being humbling.

What is one misconception people often have about psychologists - or about you personally?

A common misconception is that psychologists are emotionally neutral or detached.

In reality, good therapy requires presence, attunement, and emotional responsibility - not distance.

Personally, people often assume I’m always “regulated” or unaffected, when in truth I’m deeply human; I just take responsibility for my inner world.

What are your favourite travel or retreat destinations that help you reset and rejuvenate - and why? 

India is my favourite place to travel. It feels grounding, expansive, and deeply familiar all at once.

There’s something about being immersed in the culture, spirituality, colour, and rhythm of India that helps me reconnect with myself beyond roles and responsibilities.

It’s a place that invites reflection, reverence, and emotional depth - all of which feel restorative to both my personal and professional life.

Who do you look up to or draw inspiration from in the mental-health field?

I draw inspiration less from single figures and more from practitioners who work quietly, ethically, and relationally - those committed to lifelong learning, supervision and humility.

I’m especially inspired by clinicians who integrate cultural awareness, psychodynamic thinking, and systemic insight into their work.

What are some of the key projects, community initiatives or professional goals you are/will be working?

In 2025, a significant focus of my work is centred on community-based mental-health initiatives and accessible psychoeducation.

I’m honoured to be collaborating with the Riky Rick Foundation, supporting conversations around mental health, grief and emotional well-being in a way that feels culturally grounded and community-led.

I’m also involved in a mental-health awareness project with Sandton City, aimed at bringing mental-health conversations into everyday public spaces and reducing barriers to access.

Alongside this, I remain deeply committed to continuing stigma-disrupting work on social media - using these platforms to speak honestly about emotional labour, relationships, and psychological patterns in ways that are relatable, responsible, and reflective rather than performative.  

What words of encouragement would you share with young people who want to pursue psychology or contribute to mental-health awareness in the community?

Stay curious, stay ethical and don’t rush the process.

Psychology is not about having answers - it’s about learning how to listen, reflect and sit with complexity.

Your humanity is not a weakness in this field; it’s your greatest asset, if held responsibly.

How has social media supported your work in educating, destigmatising mental health and growing your platform?

Social media has allowed me to bridge the gap between therapy rooms and real life.

It’s a space where complex psychological ideas can be made accessible without being diluted and where stigma can be challenged through honesty rather than performance.

When used intentionally, it becomes a powerful tool for collective reflection and connection.